Device for use in applying and removing pouring spouts from cans



March 30, 1954 L. c, SMITH 2,673,393

DEVICE FOR USE IN APPLYING AND REMOVING POURING sPoUTS FROM CANS Filed April 3, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR ATToRNEY March 30, 1954 L, C, SMH-H 2,673,393

DEVICE FOR USE IN APPLYING AND REMOVING POURING SPQUTS FROM CANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 3, 1950 INVETOR .Cfmiifz ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 30, 1954 DEVICE FOR USE IN APPLYING AND REMOV- ING POURIN G SPOUTS FROM CAN S Lionel C. Smith, Jumping Branch, W. Va. Application April 3, 1950, Serial No. 133,602

1 claim. 1

This invention relates to a can punch device, and more particularly, to a device adapted for punching an aperture in a ,can or similar container and inserting a pouring spout in the aperture.

A primary object of the invention resides in the provision of a deviceof this character whereby a can may be punctured and a pouring spout inserted inthe aperture so formed with a minimum of eiort and diiculty.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a device of this character which may be readily accommodated to a variety of sizes and shapes of cans or containers.

Still anotherobject of the invention is the provision of a device of this character adapted for theremoval of aspout from a can after the contents thereof have been emptied.

A more specific object resides in the provision kof an improved pouring spout particularly adapted to be utilized with the can punch herein described.

construction, all as will be more fully .pointed .out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there are shown preferred embodiments of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational viewof one form of device embodying features of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line ,f2-2 of Figure lasviewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2 as viewed -in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view Ishowing one form of spout in position with relation to -a can or container.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view, certainconcealed portions thereof beingindicated in, dotted lines of a modied form of the invention.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along the line 6 6 of Figure 5 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and more particularly to the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, there is generally indicated at l0 a supporting member .a vertical plate Ycludesfas bestfshown infFigure 3, a

of generally L-shaped conguration which includes an elongated vertical leg Il at the top of which is a horizontal leg or ange I2. Leg Il is provided on its rear face with a V-shaped projection I3, undercut as indicated at I4, adapted to engage dovetailed grooves l5 in a supporting bracket I6, of conventional design, secured to a wall or similar support Il as by means of screws i8 or the like, whereby the device may be mounted in any des'u'ed location in vertical alignment.

The lower portion of leg Ii is provided with a plurality of spaced vertically aligned apertures i3 centrally thereof, adapted for the reception of the shank of a bolt 20, which extends through a suitable aperture in a vertical leg 2l of an L- shaped supporting member generally indicated at 22, the horizontal leg of which is indicated at 23. A wing nut 24 is provided for securing bracket 22 to support I6 in a selected vertical positiondepending upon the aperture I9 through which the bolt 26 is passed, whereby to accom modate a variety ofsizes of cans C.

The horizontal leg l2 of member lil is provided withha bushing 25, having acentrally positioned aperture therein through ,Which extends a tubular rod 26 having an enlarged head 21, a `compression spring 28 being positioned between head 2l .and bushing 25 normally biasing head 2l, rod 2 6, and its associated mechanism, to be described hereinafter, upwardly.

Secured to theextremity of rod 26, as by a rivet Silbeneath flange l2 is one leg 3| of a U-shaped member generally indicated at32 which includes 3,3, anoutwardly extending bifurcated portion 3 4 in parallel alignment with the leg 3|. The bifurcations of the member 34 are provided with opposed longitudinally extending grooves or channels 35, adapted for the reception of a peripheral flange 3 6 .adapted to surround the intermediate portion of a tubular pouring spout .generally indicated at 3l. Spout 31 `in- .vertical -tubularportion3l8, terminatingin a rightrangulally disposed vportion 39 having a pouring aperture 40 therein above the flange 36, and a vertically positioned portion 4I extending below the ilange 36 and provided with an inclined relatively sharp perforating or cutting edge 42.

A depending guide member peripheral point on a second flange 36a which is disposed 43 is secured to a container sealing below flange 33,

tion of the cutting edge 42 of the pouring spout.

From the foregoing, the use and operation of the device should now be readily understandable. Supporting member 113 is adjusted to a suitable height in the manner previously described and a can C positioned thereon. A spout 3T is then inserted with its iiange 35 in channels 35 of member 34, and guide member 133 aligned with the edge, of the can. Downward pressure is then exerted on the head 2i which causes cutting edge 42 to form an aperture'in the top of the can, and at this time flange 95a will engage the top of can C to seal the opening, and cut flap 50 will be folded back to the position shown in Figure 4. A

slight relaxation of pressure on handle 21 permits the can and the spout, which is now associated therewith to be slid in a horizontal position releasing the flange 36 from the grooves 35. The spout 31 will be in substantially fluidtight relation to the top of the can and may be used for pouring the contents thereof. Obviously, release of pressure on the head 21 will cause the parts to be returned to the operative position disclosed in full lines in Figure 2 whereupon the device is ready for re-use.

The removal of the spout from an empty can may be readily effected by a reversal of the above procedure, head 21 being first forced downwardly until grooves 35 are in alignment with flange 35,

the can and its associated spout moved horizontally until the flange 36 engages in the grooves 35 whereupon release of the head 21 which may, if necessary, be supplemented by upward pressure thereon, will serve to remove spout 31 from its associated can.

A modified form of construction is disclosed in Figures and 6 wherein a vertical upright 5i is mounted on a base 52, which may be carried on rollers 53 or the like for support on a horizontal surface, and has extending from an intermediate portion thereof a guide member 54 which includes oppositely disposed channels 55, and outwardly extending horizontal plates 55. rllhe rear of member 5| is adapted to be provided with a V-shaped projection 5': whereby the same may be supported from a bracket similar to the previously discussed bracket i6 if desired.

Extending through suitable apertures yin plates 55 is a shaft or axle 50, upon the central portion of which between the plates 56 is mounted a spur gear BI. A portion of the shaft 69 extends outwardly of one of the plates 58, and is surrounded by a collar 92 to which is affixed a crank arm 63 having crank handle 84 extending from the outer portion thereof, the arrangement being such vthat rotation of crank handle 54 will cause rotation of the gear 6|. The teeth of gear 5l are adapted to engage the teeth of a rack 55 which is mounted in the center of a plate 66 adapted to be positioned within the channels 55 of bracket 54 for vertical movement therein. Extending from the lower extremity of plate 66 is a bifurcated portion 51 provided with channels 68 therein similar to the channels discussed in the foregoing mod- 4 ification and adapted for the reception of the flange 36 of a spout 31 as previously described.

In the operation of this device, it will be understood that no adjustment of the base 52, which corresponds to the flange 23 of the foregoing modification, is necessary, the length of the rack being of sufficient length to permit spout 31 to be inserted to any desired degree into the top of the can C.

It willbe obvious that rotation of the gear 6l in the manner previously described will occasion upward or downward movement of the rack 65 and its associated mechanism in accordance with the direction of rotation of the crank handle 64.

From the foregoing, it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved can punch device and spout for use therewith which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made in this inventive concept and as various modifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

Means for use in applying and removing a pouring spout from a can comprising a vertical supporting plate, an angle shaped can supporting bracket carried by the lower portion of said plate, a right angular guide plate extending from the upper end of said vertical plate, a slide member movably engaging the outer face of said vertical plate, said slide member comprising a vertical member confronting said vertical plate, an upper horizontal member projecting from said vertical member, a rod devoid of teeth xed to said horizontal member and projecting upwardly through said guide plate, a knob at the upper end of said rod, a spring about said rod constantly urging said slide member upwardly, and a spout retainer xed to the lower end of said vertical member and extending right angularly therefrom, said retainer being formed of a pair of parallel confronting channel members adapted to receive the flange of said spout, said spout retainer being spaced from the upper horizontal member of the slide member a distance ample to accommodate substantial spout structure located above the spout flange.

LIONEL C. SMITH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 850,092 Merckens Apr. 9, 1907 883,127 Bond Mar. 24, 1908 1,298,218 Johnson Mar. 25, 1919 1,585,820 Baum May 25, 1926 2,099,322 Wisvell Nov. 16, 1937 2,145,834 Irven Jan. 3l,r 1939 2,421,589 Wisvell June 3, 1947 2,459,954 Morgan Jan. 25, 1949 

